A total of 15 members and XYLs met over Christmas dinner on Monday 3rd December at the 1841 Restaurant in Johnsonville, taking advantage of the 2 for 1 deal. Those attending the dinner thought it represented good value.
November meeting at Maritime NZ HQ – Avalon Studios
Our November meeting was held at the Maritime Radio NZ headquarters at Avalon in the Hutt Valley a week earlier than normal on Wednesday 14 November.
This was a chance to see the Maritime operations centre in action, with three active searches under way including a Mayday call while we were visiting.
Supper was available and we supped up large on special treats (leaving some for the Maritime NZ team). We also honoured the unexpected Silent Key of Doug ZL2AOV, whose funeral was held earlier in the afternoon.
Summer Series Shed Workshops #2 – 11 November
Over the summer we are having informal shed workshops. No set topic, but all are welcome to come along, preferably (but optionally) with your soldering iron and a project to work on. That might be a uBITx transceiver, a magnetic loop antenna, a power supply, an arduino nano keyer project, or whatever takes your fancy. There are eight magnetic loops under construction for a start!
#2 in the summer series was held from 1pm – 3pm, on Sunday 7 October 2018.
The venue is: 2 Derrry Hill, Churton Park (QTH of Mike ZL1AXG)
Branch 50 at Wellington’s first Maker Faire
Branch 50 NZART participated in the Wellington Maker Faire on 4 November. Some 2500 people passed through the Maker Faire on Sunday 4 November from 10am to 4pm.
NZART Inc took an outside area, immediately in front of the entrance to the TSB Arena on Queen’s Wharf, to showcase amateur radio. Two local clubs (Branch 50 and Branch 63) were supported by two NZART councillors in promoting amateur radio.
Chatting about the gear …
And making contacts from inside the tent …
A large number of people came by and chatted, including a number of amateur operators. Nineteen contacts will be followed up – primarily people showing an interest in amateur radio or operators who are interested in becoming active again. They will all be put in touch with NZART and their local branch. Those on the stand felt it was successful, and we won a prize for the best presented stand.